Grand Canyon River Rafting Adventures

How to Experience Grand Canyon Rafting

There is something different about discovering the beauty and the power of the Colorado River on a Grand Canyon river rafting expedition. Typically undertaken as a group adventure, rafting trips can be arranged to suit the group?s preferences with regards to trip duration, intensity level and trip extras such as hiking, camping and exploring. The Grand Canyon is one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders, revealing multilateral rock surfaces, unexpected grottoes and side canyons. Rafting down the river is not just for thrill seekers, but it is also for those who wish to commune with nature. It's important to know some basics to find a trip that fits your needs the best for a better experience. For example, if you're not able to differentiate paddle and motorized rafting and choose without checking these details, you may not get the most out of your trip. Although the type of raft will depend on the itinerary offered by the outfitter, learning these differences beforehand will make it easier for you. Paddle rafts are inflatable rafts that have a seating capacity of between six to eight people, plus a guide. Each person on the trip is expected to paddle under the guidance of the trip guide who sits at the rear. Paddle rafts move quickly in the water regardless of the level of the rapids, and are among the smallest raft types allowing passengers to "feel more" of the rapids. Many commercial outfitters use paddle rafts.

An oar raft, an inflatable vessel, is among the most popular raft types and is maneuvered using a set of long wooden oars usually handled by the guide. Oar rafts can take up to four passengers as are dory boats. Dory boats are usually made of wood or fiberglass and are more responsive among any vessel, while in the rapids. A third trip option is a combination of raft types: oar with the guide handling the long oars, and a paddle raft with passengers paddling downriver, all to be used on rotation among the group. This type of raft trip is offered by very few outfitters and availability is limited. Lastly, there are J-rig and S-Rig inflatable, motorized rafts which are the most popular raft type on the river. These quiet motor rafts travel twice as fast as the non-motor rafts (still only around 8-9mph) and can cut down the trip length considerably, making it an optimal option for those trying to fit a Grand Canyon raft trip within a tighter travel window.

Top Grand Canyon Rafting Trips

Rafting trips down the Colorado River require permits, the appropriate gear and experienced guides. This is especially true for multi-day trips. Advantage Grand Canyon Adventure Rafting is an aggregate working to match adventurers with 16 outfitters licensed by the National Park Service. Finding an open schedule to match your available vacation time can be a challenge, especially if you are looking for a particular experience, but the pro's at Advantage Grand Canyon know their way around rafting trip schedules and are in contact with the outfitters multiple times per day. The company has access to cancellation information, so they can book last-minute reservations for you. You can also ask to get on a waiting list ahead of your schedule to increase the chances of joining the rafting adventure of your dreams. Rafting trips may be classified according to duration, and the experience tends to be more profound with multi-day trips. These trips range from three, to ?eighteen-day adventures with a guide, and a crew who prepares incredible meals for you. Tents, sleeping bags, dry bags, and all of your gear is included on these commercial Grand Canyon river trips. There is plenty of time to disembark and hike the trails and discover hidden canyons and falls with every raft trip.

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